Hi, Well for the fourth time in about 6 months Oakley has managed to rip out his hind toe nail at the root. I am becoming very experienced at clipping hanging nails off and using polysporin and hydrogen peroxide! The first time it was ripped out was in a fight with another ferret of mine. Since then, it grew back yellow and brittle and very weak each time. The other times it has ripped out I don't know how it occrred but I can only surmise that due to the fact of its weakness and his putting pressure on it, this is happening with relative ease. I am getting worried about it and have to take Oakley to the vets today anyway so I am going to talk to them about my options. Although I am 100% against declawing any animal, I am considering asking them to take this nail out at the root so this does not happen anymore. I know of another member of ours who had the same problem and eventually their ferrets foot got infected and they had to have 2 toes removed. I am concerned that if this nail continues to be pulled out the same will occur with Oakley even with my being carefull. At the same time, I am aware that I run the risk of infection and swelling if I take the nail out surgically. I would like to know if anyone out there has encountered a similar problem and what they did about it. I know I could also have this nail clipped and cauterized to slow down its growth and just do this on a regular basis but that seems radical too. I feel like I am between a rock and hard place regarding this toe. I am not trying to start a debate about whether declawing ferrets is good or not because as I said I am 100% against it. This just feels like an extreme situation and one I had not anticipated encountering. If anyone has any other ideas as to how I can approach this problem I would love to hear them. It must hurt my poor guy everytime he pulls the nail out and there is blood and the risk of infection. I am only trying to figure out what would be the best thing in the long run to do for him. Thankx [Posted in FML issue 2660]